What is an Apprenticeship Unit?

Apprenticeship units, the first wave of which are due to launch in April 2026, are designed to be a quicker, more flexible way for businesses to access critical skills training that will support workforce development and drive commercial success. 

Part of the recent DWP announcement, this is the first time funds from the Apprenticeship Levy can be put towards non-apprenticeship training.
 

What are the Benefits of Apprenticeship Units?

For Employers:

• Allows businesses to plug their skills gap more quickly
• Provides the flexibility to adapt training to meet emerging business demands
• Limits impact of employees being away from the business
• Makes budgeting for training more focused and adaptable
   

For Employees:

• Allows employees to quickly assimilate much needed skills
• Makes training relevant, timely and focused
• Provides accredited training that employees can develop or take forward into new roles
   

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Get in Touch

Fill in the short form below or email our Business Development team at business@blackpool.ac.uk, if you have any questions about Apprenticeship Units, coming soon to B&FC.

How is this Different to a Typical Apprenticeship Standard?

A full apprenticeship can take several years to complete, whilst an apprenticeship unit is delivered over a much shorter time frame. This allows the learner to apply their newly found skills to the business more quickly. It also means businesses can flex more easily in a rapidly evolving marketplace and build skills at pace to meet changing commercial demands.
 

A Modular Approach

This modular approach means that businesses can tailor the training their workforce needs more effectively allowing individuals to develop skills that are specific and more aligned to business needs.

Accredited Apprenticeship Units

As all the units form part of recognised apprenticeship standards and are fully accredited, you can confident that the training meets the required standard. Credits are award for each units so that over time learners can build up sufficient credits to earn an apprenticeship standard.

Faster Onboarding Process

Shorter courses and a quick application process means that learners can be applying the skills they've acquired in weeks and months rather than years.

How will Apprenticeship Units be Funded:

For Employers paying the Apprenticeship Levy?

If your business pays the Apprenticeship Levy (whose name will shortly be changed to the Growth and Skills Levy), you will now be able to use this for Apprenticeship Units. This change means that you can spend your Levy Budget more flexibility, focusing it exactly on the skills your business needs and delivering them more quickly.
 

For Employers who don't pay the Apprenticeship Levy?

The government has announced that it will cover 100% of the cost of Apprenticeship Units for those businesses that don't pay the Levy.
 

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Apprenticeship Units Coming Soon